20 American and European countries that grant citizenship by birth in 2025

Birthright citizenship, known as jus soli (“right of the soil”), grants individuals citizenship based on their place of birth.

This principle is prevalent in the Americas but less common in Europe, where jus sanguinis (“right of blood”), citizenship through parentage, is more typical. However, some European countries offer conditional birthright citizenship.

Here’s an overview of selected European and American countries that grant citizenship by birth:

1. United States
The US has long upheld jus soli under the 14th Amendment, granting citizenship to nearly all born on its soil. President Donald Trump recently attempted to end this through executive orders, but federal courts have blocked these efforts, maintaining the status quo.

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2. Canada
Canada practices unrestricted birthright citizenship, automatically granting citizenship to individuals born within its borders, regardless of their parents’ nationality or legal status.

3. Mexico
Mexico offers unrestricted birthright citizenship, conferring citizenship to anyone born on Mexican soil, irrespective of parental citizenship.

4. Argentina
In Argentina, individuals born in the country are granted citizenship at birth, regardless of their parents’ nationality.

5. Brazil
Brazil practices unrestricted jus soli, granting citizenship to individuals born within its territory, irrespective of their parents’ nationality or legal status.

6. Chile
Chile offers birthright citizenship to individuals born within its borders, regardless of their parents’ nationality.

7. France
France employs a conditional jus soli system. A child born in France to foreign parents can acquire citizenship at age 18 if they have resided in the country since the age of 11. Alternatively, they can apply for citizenship at 13 if they meet certain residency and other conditions.

8. Germany
Germany offers conditional birthright citizenship. A child born in Germany to foreign parents can acquire citizenship if at least one parent has lived legally in the country for eight years or holds permanent residency. The child can hold dual citizenship until the age of 21, after which they must choose one nationality.

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9. Ireland
Ireland practices a modified jus soli system. A child born in Ireland to foreign parents can acquire citizenship if at least one parent has been legally resident in the country for three out of the four years preceding the child’s birth.

10. Portugal
Portugal grants birthright citizenship to individuals born in the country to foreign parents if at least one parent has resided legally in Portugal for at least two years before the birth.

11. United Kingdom
The UK provides conditional birthright citizenship. A child born in the UK can acquire citizenship if at least one parent is a British citizen or settled in the UK at the time of the child’s birth. A ten-year-old child who hasn’t spent 90 days outside the country since birth will also be granted citizenship.

12. Belgium
A child born in Belgium can acquire citizenship if at least one foreign parent was also born in Belgium and has resided there for five of the ten years preceding the child’s birth. Alternatively, if the parents were not born in Belgium, the child can still obtain citizenship if the parents have legally resided in the country for ten years.

13. Cyprus
A child born in Cyprus will be granted citizenship if at least one of the parents was born in the country or is a Cypriot citizen.

14. Greece
A child born in the country will be granted citizenship if at least one parent is a Greek citizen or has been a valid resident in the country for five years since birth. Both parents are legal residents in the country for five years and the child completes elementary education (six years).

15. Finland
A child born in Finland will get citizenship if one of the parents is a Finnish citizen.

16. Luxembourg
You will be granted citizenship by birth in Luxembourg if one parent was born in the country or one parent is a Luxembourg citizen. If you are 18 years old and both parents are physically present in the country 12 months preceding birth or live in the country five years preceding your 18th birthday.

17. Spain
Born in the country one parent is a Spanish citizen.

18. Sweden
Born after April 1, 2015, and at least one parent is a Swedish citizen.

19. Malta
A child born in the country will get citizenship by birth if one parent was born in Malta or is a Maltese citizen.

20. Australia
If born in the country and one parent is an Australian citizen.

It’s important to note that while many countries in the Americas offer unrestricted birthright citizenship, European nations typically impose specific conditions.